Page 55 of Embers of Fate
“Yes,” I breathe, the word tumbling from my lips without a second thought. Because there’s nothing in this world that I want more than to be with him, to follow him wherever he leads, to build a life together that’s filled with love and laughter and endless possibility.
My fingers tighten around his. A silent promise, a vow that needs no words. And as we walk out of the room, out of the house that’s been my prison for so long, I feel a weight lift from my shoulders, a sense of freedom and joy that I’ve never known before.
Because I’m with Nik. My dragon, my love.
32
NIK
We arrive at my place just before the clock strikes twelve, the anticipation thrumming through my veins like a living thing. I lead Sam to the terrace, my heart pounding with nervous excitement as I watch her, waiting for the moment when she’ll discover the surprise I’ve spent hours preparing.
And then, finally, she sees it—the candle-lined trail of red rose petals, winding like a crimson ribbon through the night, each curve and bend illuminated by the soft, flickering glow of votive candles. The effect is breathtaking, a path of love and light leading towards the surprise that awaits her.
Sam turns to me, her eyes wide with wonder, the candlelight dancing across her face and setting her maroon irises ablaze. A delicate blush stains her cheeks, the color as soft and sweet as the rose petals beneath our feet.
“Nik?” she breathes, her voice soft and full of questions. “What is this?”
I fight back a smile, wanting to savor the look of awe on her face for just a moment longer. “Go on,” I tell her, gesturing towards the path, an invitation and a promise all at once.
Together, we move through the garden tunnel, the twinkling amber string-lights casting a warm, romantic glow over everything they touch. And then, at last, we reach the lawn, where the real surprise awaits.
A picnic, laid out on soft wool blankets, complete with a bottle of champagne and the flicker of candlelight. The air is crisp and cool, the night still and full of possibility, and as I watch Sam take it all in, I feel a rush of love so intense it steals my breath.
“Nik...” she whispers, her voice trembling with emotion.
I come up behind her, slipping my hands into my pockets to hide the way they shake. This is everything I’ve ever wanted, everything I’ve ever dreamed of. The sheer joy of seeing her happy, of being the one to put that look of wonder on her face... it’s a feeling that can’t be matched.
Well, almost.
Sam turns to face me, her hand coming up to rest on my chest, and I slide my arm around her waist, pulling her close. The scent of her perfume, roses and vanilla, fills my lungs, and I breathe it in like a drowning man gasping for air.
“You set all this up,” she murmurs, her eyes searching mine, a hint of mischief sparkling in their depths. “My brother... he could have said no.”
I feel my lips curve into a smile, the tension draining from my body as I recall our earlier triumph. “But he didn’t,” I point out, gently guiding her to sit on the blanket.
I settle in behind her, wrapping my arms around her and pulling her back against my chest. And gods, the feeling of her in my embrace, the warmth of her body seeping into mine... it’s like coming home, like finding a piece of myself I never even knew was missing.
“I will never again let you go,” I vow, my lips brushing the shell of her ear. It’s the truth, the one thing I know with absolute certainty. I’ve lost her once, and I’ll be damned if I ever let it happen again.
Sam melts into my hold, her head falling back onto my shoulder. “I will never again let you,” she whispers, and the words are like a balm to my battered soul, a promise that echoes through every fiber of my being.
She shifts in my arms, turning to face me, and suddenly, we’re mere inches apart, our breath mingling in the space between us. And in that moment, everything else falls away—the war between our families, the weight of my sins, the chaos of the world beyond this perfect, stolen slice of time.
I’m free. Free to love her, to cherish her, to give her everything I have and everything I am, for as long as she’ll let me.
“I have a gift for you,” I murmur, reaching into my pocket and pressing the small box into her hand.
Sam glances down, her brow furrowing in confusion as she takes in the familiar red and gold detailing. “Nik...” she starts, her fingers tracing the edges of the case. “Are you returning my birthday present? Didn’t you like it?”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “Open it,” I urge, my heart racing in my chest as I wait for her reaction.
With a last, uncertain glance in my direction, Sam flips open the lid... and gasps, her eyes widening in shock and wonder.
There, nestled in the velvet lining, is a rose gold diamond ring, the metal gleaming softly in the candlelight. The band is adorned with the iconic screw motifs, a symbol of our love’s strength and endurance. And there, engraved on the inside, are our names, forever commemorating the unbreakable bond we share.
“Is this...?” she whispers, her voice trailing off as she stares at the ring, her fingers trembling as they hover over the precious metal.
“This is a promise ring,” I explain, taking her hand in mine, my thumb stroking over her knuckles in a gesture of reassurance and love. “In my family, in the Draken clan, we seal our promises with diamonds. But these aren’t just any ordinary gems, Sam. They’re infused with magic, with the very essence of our dragon souls.”
